Parcelforce asking for an invoice before they release my parcel

[MarioMakaveli]

Hi guys

I've got a problem & need some advice. I've been waiting on a parcel from the US, tracking information displayed this:

International Hub Awaiting clearance - information needed from addressee

a few days later I received a 012 Notice of Arrival of Goods By Post (C160) letter asking me to fill in a declaration form & to provide an invoice

turns out the seller I bought the item from has declared the item at something like $50, I paid more than double the amount for the item, if I provide an invoice would I be hit with a fine or just with vat/duty charges and end of story?

Thanks

[GreenBean]

Contact the prat of a seller and tell him to fax/email you an invoice & an accompanying note saying he meant to put £50 not $50 (ie a typo with the value). Soon as he does that, phone ParcelForce (wait for hours on the phone & get annoyed), give them the info & say you're sending the info on to them. You might be lucky & not have to pay. Be polite, new to importing, chasing birds, driving a fast car. All that stuff

Next time, if you deal with that seller, tell him to be more careful or he can re-imburse you for the extra.

[Shellshocker]

I think this is known as a "Customs Raid", they picked on you and it usually ends up with you paying custom fees which the seller should have!
Putting a low price avoids it and is very commonly let through, you got unlucky.

[cpm]

Seller/Sender never pays Custom fees regardless of how much.

[GrannyT]

I'm missing something here - if you have an invoice that says $50 (or whatever) why can't you send that in?